Our medical weight loss program is an effective solution for patients in the Huntsville, Alabama area who prefer a non-surgical approach to weight management.
Medical weight loss is also an option for those who wish to lose weight before surgery, more weight after surgery, or those for whom surgery is not an option. Our team works with each patient to determine the best treatment plan to help them achieve and maintain successful weight loss.
Dr. Doucette works with our experienced dietitians to help our patients find the optimal diet. We teach our patients how healthy eating can be used to manage weight loss and we closely monitor their progress. We know each patient has different needs so we ensure each treatment plan is carefully tailored with the health and goals of the patient in mind.
Medications can help people lose more weight than exercise and diet alone, and are most effective when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.1 We offer medication options as part of our comprehensive medical weight loss program. Before prescribing medication, our doctor performs a thorough evaluation to assess a patient’s medical history, overall health and weight loss goals in order to create a personalized treatment plan. In some cases, more than one medication may be prescribed, or a medical weight loss plan may be used in conjunction with a weight loss procedure.
Wegovy (semaglutide) has a higher dosage of the same active ingredient found in Ozempic. Wegovy is injected at home once a week, and has been shown to help patients achieve long-term weight management when combined with increased physical activity and reduced calorie intake.
In randomized clinical trials, over the course of 68 weeks 33% of patients who took Wegovy lost 20% of their body weight. These patients also showed improved systolic blood pressure and smaller waist circumference when compared to patients given a placebo.2
Contrave is an FDA-approved weight loss medication that is a combination of bupropion and naltrexone. It can help overweight adults lose weight by curbing appetite, and has best results when used as part of reduced calorie diet and exercise program.
In one clinical study, participants took CONTRAVE® in conjunction with reducing their calorie intake, increasing their physical activity and participating in lifestyle counseling. Across three studies, 46% of patients lost 5% or more of their body weight, after 56 weeks of taking CONTRAVE.3.
Qsymia® (phentermine/topiramate) is the only FDA-approved once daily weight loss medication. Qsymia contains two weight loss medications, phentermine and topiramate, in an extended-release capsule. It is designed to help overweight and adults with obesity lose weight as part of a diet and exercise program.
In a clinical trial, participants who took Qsymia lost an average of approximately 10% of their body weight (about 24 lbs) and a 4 inch waist size reduction after 1 year. Participants with a BMI over 30 who took Qsymia® lost 4 times more weight than diet and exercise alone.
Saxenda® (liraglutide) is an FDA-approved, injectable prescription medicine that may help some adults with obesity lose weight and maintain weight loss (together with reduced-calorie diet and physical activity). Saxenda is a higher dose of the drug Victoza, just as Wegovy is a higher dose of Ozempic. Saxenda is injected one time per day by the patient and comes in a pre-filled pen which our doctor will teach you how to use prior to your first dose. Patients who use Saxenda are granted access to SaxendaCare™, a free support program to help patients work toward their weight loss goals. SaxendaCare provides coaches to answer questions and help build healthy habits that fit the patient’s lifestyle as well as weekly guidance emails.
In a clinical trial, 64% of people had a greater than or equal to 5% decrease in body weight after one year of treatment compared with 27% of people who received placebo. All of the people in the study were asked to follow a low calorie diet and exercise program.5
Adipex® (phentermine) is an FDA-approved medication designed to suppress appetite. Adipex is used for a short period of time as part of a weight reduction treatment plan which includes exercise, behavioral changes, and a low-calorie diet. People with a BMI greater than 30, or a BMI greater than 27 and other risk factors (e.g. controlled high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol) are candidates for Adipex.
Weight Loss Surgery